Brazil 1989

Keith Haring made this painting, Brazil, with what looks like acrylic on canvas, and you can see the traces of his signature bold, graphic style. Imagine him, standing close to the canvas, almost dancing as he creates this maze-like configuration of orange and black symbols. I love the shock of bright blue that interrupts the upper right-hand corner—it’s as if the whole image is breathing, and then the blue rushes in. You can see Haring's background in graffiti art, and the influence of artists like Jean Dubuffet. The lines are confident and quick, made by an artist working fast, almost like the image is pouring out of him. There’s a beautiful combination of playfulness and serious intent here. Haring’s art has always felt deeply human and connected to others— it carries the urgency and energy of someone trying to create community through art.